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richiedoo
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  • Register:09/12/2004 02:57:08

Date Posted:06/01/2015 10:57:04Copy HTML

Hi folks....hope everyone is enjoying the spring and and summer season. Here's a thought I came up with and was hoping it may be put to some kind of use. We already know that WPIX probably has no intentions of releasing the Yule Log as we see it on Ch. 11 onto DVD or home video in any sort of way especially since they are the ones who probably own exclusive rights to it....that's understandable. However, the SONGS that are heard on the program I'm sure WPIX has no exclusive rights to....AND since just about all of the tracks that are heard on the program are available in one way or another...PLUS the fact that many of us here are more or less familiar with the order of the songs starttig with Joy To The World and so on I was thinking why not make avilable a Yule Log CD with every single track that the program uses in the exact same order with maybe a custom picture insert of the YL to make it look even more original and authentic?
I happened on this idea because I saw on this site other pieces of memorabilia (T-shirts, caps, etc)....I thought perhaps a CD "soundtrack" might make it somewhat more complete.

Any thoughts?
Christmas Music Guru Share to: Facebook Twitter MSN linkedin google yahoo #1
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  • Register:09/07/2005 11:04:22

Re:So Why Not A Yule Log CD?

Date Posted:06/02/2015 07:45:29Copy HTML


Rich,

It's not that WPIX has no intentions of releasing the Yule Log on DVD, it's just that
the main problem with releasing the program on home video is the music licensing fees. Copyright issues and/or music licensing fees are not and never have been a problem for just broadcasting the songs on the television, as Tribune Broadcasting has a blanket licensing agreement to air the music on TV. However, they are a big problem with regard to releasing the program on home video.

In 2006, to commemorate the Yule Log's 40th anniversary, WPIX
/Tribune made a diligent attempt to commercially release the program on home video (concomitant to my audio restoration and the anniversary documentary special). But in the end, it was the prohibitive music licensing fees that ultimately killed the project. And quite sadly, it is these very same licensing fees that will probably make it unlikely that the program will ever see a release on home video.


As for a CD release, there are two major dilemmas: first, because of the varied artists on the program, a myriad of companies would have to be consulted to acquire the licensing of the music; and second, considering that the program is four hours long, releasing the entire soundtrack on CD would require a 4-CD set. The problem is finding a record company willing to do that. I know of none.



Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com
richiedoo Share to: Facebook Twitter MSN linkedin google yahoo #2
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  • Register:09/12/2004 02:57:08

Re:So Why Not A Yule Log CD?

Date Posted:06/02/2015 11:37:04Copy HTML

OK Chip you made it very clear....first off I didn't think that the CD part of things was going to be such an easy project to do but at firs it just seemed like all one had to do was basically duplicate the YL soundtrack onto CD. The digital restoration of the songs have already been taken care of by you!

In addition, i was very surprised when you mentioned about WPIX making some kind of attempt to release the program onto DVD but unfortunately never materialized. No doubt about it there would have probably been a huge and/or overwhelming demand if that was to ever happen.
Winter_Warlock Share to: Facebook Twitter MSN linkedin google yahoo #3
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  • Register:05/30/2013 06:51:59

Re:So Why Not A Yule Log CD?

Date Posted:06/07/2015 10:42:46Copy HTML

Maybe my data is outdated now and they're no longer in the business of doing this sort of thing, but what about Columbia House? At least, I think it was them. My memory of that bygone era where EVERY commercial break included an ad for one of their albums, may be a bit sketchy. I remember them releasing a LOT of compilations in the 80's and 90's, some of them MANY discs long.

I don't know exactly how they did it though. Were licensing fees far less restrictive at the time?

Also, granted this may not be the best option. But if the number of discs in the set is a problem, it might actually be possible to fit all of the songs onto a Bluray.

Because the video footage is on a loop anyway, only one copy of that loop is required to make a video disk of the show. Bluray players are a lot like computers, and can do things in a much less linear fashion than DVD's. Playing a looped video that is only a 10-20 minutes long, while running a 4-hour long playlist shouldn't be a problem. Such a format might irk some of the purists out there, but it IS an option.
Christmas Music Guru Share to: Facebook Twitter MSN linkedin google yahoo #4
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  • Register:09/07/2005 11:04:22

Re:So Why Not A Yule Log CD?

Date Posted:06/08/2015 09:08:52Copy HTML


There are two separate issues at work here: first, the issue of WPIX releasing the Yule Log telecast on DVD; and second, the issue of an independent record company releasing the Yule Log soundtrack on CD (which is something that WPIX wouldn't do as they are not a record company, nor in the business of releasing CDs).

First, with regard to releasing the Yule Log telecast on DVD, the music licensing fees (which are different from that of CDs) are just too prohibitive for the station to absorb; so therefore, sadly, a future release on home video anytime in the future is highly unlikely.

And second, with regard to releasing the Yule Log's soundtrack on CD, the dilemma is not the cost of the music licensing fees, but the myriad of record companies that would have to be consulted to put such a compilation together. Another dilemma is that considering the program is four hours long, releasing the entire soundtrack on CD would require its release on a multi-disc, 4-CD set. And the problem here is not that it can't be done, as Time Life and Reader's Digest, among many other reissue companies have proven over the years; the problem is finding one of these companies that would be willing to do it. And as I said previously, I know of none.



Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com
johnnyelectron Share to: Facebook Twitter MSN linkedin google yahoo #5
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Re:So Why Not A Yule Log CD?

Date Posted:06/23/2015 03:24:33Copy HTML

The company ShoutFactory.com had a very difficult time getting the original 'WKRP in Cincinnati' series onto a multi-DVD set, even close to its original form, because of the musical clearance issues.  It took years to make it happen, but it's 85% close to the original and expensive.  Some artists, labels, and/or publishing companies either outright refused inclusion or wanted as much as a quarter million dollars for inclusion in the DVDs (so portions of songs by Pink Floyd, The Eagles and others are missing and/or replaced by generic sound-a-likes).

So as Chip indicated, the musical legal web is very tangled these days; it's a shame they overlook the joy that the music brings.

Regards,

John


RichD Share to: Facebook Twitter MSN linkedin google yahoo #6
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Re:So Why Not A Yule Log CD?

Date Posted:06/26/2015 02:26:52Copy HTML

Same for the release of "The Wonder Years" series on DVD - it took forever for it to come out on DVD because of all the music played in each episode.....
johnnyelectron Share to: Facebook Twitter MSN linkedin google yahoo #7
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Re:So Why Not A Yule Log CD?

Date Posted:06/30/2015 08:00:05Copy HTML

And to bring this topic full circle, I was able to verify that the song "Sleigh Ride" by the Living Voices from the "to be released" this year Real Gone Christmas CD: "The Little Drummer Boy", is indeed featured as the closing music in one of the Christmas episodes of the "WKRP in Cincinnati" DVD boxed set.  It too was replaced by generic music until musical clearance was obtained for the box set release.




Jon-G Share to: Facebook Twitter MSN linkedin google yahoo #8
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Re:So Why Not A Yule Log CD?

Date Posted:08/16/2015 04:31:50Copy HTML

Maybe a CD would be a bit of a project that would be difficult....but what would it take to get the material onto a streaming service like Spotify so that a playlist could be created and shared?
RichLI Share to: Facebook Twitter MSN linkedin google yahoo #9
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  • Register:12/16/2013 02:42:52

Re:So Why Not A Yule Log CD?

Date Posted:11/11/2017 01:41:31Copy HTML

  Almost all of the songs on the original 3 hour Yule Log are available either on CD (with thanks to Chip and Real Gone Music!) or digitally. The one exception that comes to mind is the song "Christmas is Christmas" by the Singing Angels. 
You could make a playlist of all of the available songs and have an almost complete soundtrack of the Yule Log. 
www.TheYuleLog.com
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